Revalidation of Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 with description of three new species and discovery of a remarkable male palpal character (Araneae, Zodariidae)

  • Rudy Jocqué Royal Museum for Central Africa, B-3080 Tervuren
  • Arnaud Henrard Royal Museum for Central Africa, B-3080 Tervuren and Earth and Life Institute, Biodiversity Research Center, UCL-17.07.04, Bâtiment Carnoy, Croix du Sud, 5, B-1348, Louvain-la-Neuve
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2015.114
Keywords: Name availability, mating plug, Sahel region, Zodarion, Zodariellum

Abstract

The genus name Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 is considered available and valid, with A. spinulosum Denis, 1966 as its type species. The genus is characterized by the presence of ventral rows of long setae on the femora, large anterior median eyes and a large, dorsal, crater-like pit on the cymbium. Zodariellum Andreeva & Tyschenko, 1968 is removed from its synonymy and now only contains its type species Z. surprisum Andreeva & Tyschenko, 1968. Three new Acanthinozodium species are described: A. crateriferum sp. nov. (♂♀) from Ethiopia, A. sahelense sp. nov. (♂♀) from a wide range in the Sahel region and A. quercicola sp. nov. (♂) from Morocco. The genus appears to have a large distribution in and around the Sahara. The possible function of the cymbial pit is discussed.

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Published
2015-03-04
How to Cite
Jocqué, R., & Henrard, A. (2015). Revalidation of Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 with description of three new species and discovery of a remarkable male palpal character (Araneae, Zodariidae). European Journal of Taxonomy, (114). https://doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2015.114
Issue
No. 114 (2015): Revalidation of Acanthinozodium Denis, 1966 with description of three new species and discovery of a remarkable male palpal character (Araneae, Zodariidae)
Section
Zoology
Copyright (c) 2015 Rudy Jocqué, Arnaud Henrard

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